Heading into Harvest

We thought Jordan might get to come home this weekend, but we never heard back from him (his phone ran out of minutes and he is e-mail reply challenged ;) so by Saturday we had given up hope.  And then, right as we were heading out to do some Harvest shopping, he called from Zoey's house asking us to come get him.  It has been the most fun, contented 27 hours; life feels so whole when he is home.  The twins were permanent appendages to him most of the time.  Saturday night we played "Tigers in the Dark" (at Jordan's request) for an hour and a half and then we finally gave in to the friend phone calls at 10:00 PM and he left for a big "back in town" bash for two hours.  Sunday was the "farewell" for one of Jordan's spokane roomates (Austin) and most of the youth that have gone off to college came home to support him.  The church was filled.  It was so fun to see them all; we squeeeezed at many of them as we could on our row.  I miss having them in our home.  Of course goodbye's are inevitable and difficult and as I sat crying on a stool in the middle of our kitchen with Abe's arms around me, I couldn't help but feel grateful for having children who leave such enormous holes in the wake of their absense and fill them, overflowing, when they return.  Truthfully, the rest of Sunday evening felt melancholy.  We don't have high hopes that Jordan will be able to come home for Harvest because most students don't come home for that holiday, but we are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

We are gearing up for a week of Harvest festvities.  Including Family Home Evening (which is always a celebration) there is a party every day except Sunday. Lily and Sophie can hardly contain their anticipation.  Our children have a four day weekend, so I am excited as well!  Fred gets no time "off",  but he is a festive, sturdy Maypole and we will party all around him.  :)

Our computer has become almost disfunctional and our software won't seem to find the probable viruses, so  the IT guy at Stevens-Henager suggested that we do a clean sweep and reload the operating system.  We've had to do that twice before with other computers and though Fred thought he had everything saved to disks, I have lost valuable files each time around.  Fred spent the weekend on that time consuming project, while I have held my breath.  He has the computer back up and running and it seems to be working properly.  I am grateful that between he and Mikayla they have the intelligence to "fix" these technilogical problems so we don't have to pay someone to do it, but I am aprehensive about looking for my documents.  Luckily the blog is stored on the Internet, so that can't be touched by our personal computer failure.  Monday is not a good computer day because there are so many other things to be accomplished, but maybe I will be brave enough tomorrow to go "hacking" through the bush.

Mom says she's trunky.  Next March feels like a lifetime away to me, as Jordan will be turning 19 then.  His Bishop has started the verbal ball rolling and wants Jordan's papers ready to go by December.  We are all still uncertain what next semester has in store.  Jordan would love to keep learning, we would love to have him keep learning, but he also needs money for his mission, and whether he could get a good job here is a big question mark.  In truth, I selfishly don't feel ready for March.  I LOVE having Mom and Dad on a mission and learning and being blessed from their experiences and their growth.  I KNOW we will have similiar experiences as Jordan leaves and such grand extended family reunions as Mom and Dad return and bring back with them the familial nucleus, but pondering the tradeoff induces heart tremors.

Eden turns 14 in a month and a day.  I don't know how this is all happening so quickly, but I am grateful for stake callings and dance chaperone assignments :)

Anticipations

It's that festive time of year again where the holidays start to feel tangible, my mind gets caught up in the fun whirlwind of traditions and the cold actually starts to feel purposeful.  It is also the season where my boxing gloves seem to get pulled out of the closet and shined up for the fight between Halloween and Harvest.  It's a sad, ironic statement, but most years it's not the community or schools that I have to fight (they have all crossed over to the strictly Harvest side) it's always mutual or a ward activity or an LDS friends party that makes me uncomfortable.  Why is that!?  I'm so grateful that Ben and Renee have carried on the tradition of the extended family Harvest party and made it into such a wonderful, anticipated celebration of the beginning of uplifting holidays and I'm so looking forward to our own family party where we will sample from our "rare" fruits Basket, play jeopordy, deliver Harvest treats and of course overestimate the amount of fun fall refreshments than we can eat on a fast Sunday Saturday.  I guess we'll have to have to start the edible part of our celebration a little earlier in the day this year, so we can still fit in all the sugar ;[.  I'm hoping Jordans schedule can accomadate a weekend at home and that he can find a ride, but he may end up coming home this week for one of his old roomates farewell talks and I doubt he'll be able to make it both weekends, but we do look forward to his visits.

Mikayla went to visit Jordan at Rexburg this past Thursday through Sunday.  She was able to surprise him, which was fun for her and was able to spend some good hours with him on Friday, getting a tour of the campus.  So far I've asked Liz and Mikayla to scope out the dating situation while they were down there and in both cases the assignment has been disappoiningly unfulfilled.  I am starting to lose my faith in spies. :)  I did talk to Arianna yesterday on the web cam and she seemed like a sweet girl, but I told Mikayla that I don't care if she is the queen of Sheba, I still think he should be dating other girls!

On Wednesday, as Fred was driving home from work, a car in front of him drove off the road at 50 miles an hour, hit a ditch and flipped.  He and another man were able to get the young man, who seemed to be in shock, but fine, out of the car and waited with him until the ambulence got there.  Fred found out his first name and could tell he was a member of the church because of the primary manuals in the back of the car.  We later found out that it was a young man in our stake.  Accidents are hitting much too close to home lately and it's making me nervous.  Mikayla is still driving to school every day, but I am grateful that it is only a couple miles away, that the speed limit is 25 and that she is in a solid steel pickup... and that I can pray!

I noticed that there were test cables across the road at our main intersection in town last week.  I've always been so proud that our town has no stoplights--like a symbolic sign of our small and intimate community.  I have to admit that by Middleton standards that interesection gets quite busy sometimes, but I would be sad to see a light go in.

We had the missionary sisters over for dinner last week.  I love having missionaries in our home--they bring with them such a pure, humble manifestation of the Spirit.  One of them is actually from Boise and was reassigned here from Canada because of health issues and the other one is from Tonga.  They were both  sweet and when they left, the Tongan sister gave Abe a big hug and a kiss on the cheek that he wasn't quite prepared for :)

Tomorrow is the twins first field trip.  In our small town we will be walking to the fire department and then to the grocery store.  Lily and Sophie were both disappointed that they would still not get the experience of riding a bus.  It's a dream that they will have to continue anticipating.

My grand anticipations for this bright new Monday include bread making, laundry folding, job chart revising, house cleaning, personal progress setting, dog walking, letter typing, budget updating, homework helping, twin corraling and I'm sure many other grand illusions that I can't even imagine.  "Rise and Shout!"

Week At A Glance... or a Gaze... or a Grueling Going-Over

When I started this blog, I set a goal to write every week, no matter what, because this is my journal and my letter to Mom and Dad, and usually pictures for Jordan, but some weeks there is just seems to be nothing there, so I'm going with the unsubstantial list today:

Last Monday
--Finally finished curtains for the playroom.  Since our couch in that room is atrocious (Fred's dad's 1970's gold and brown floral), I didn't even try to match it, but am using the curtains as my starting palette and will eventually work everything around them.  Right now the paint shade in the room is too cool to compliment their shade of green and red and the lavendar based decorations are clashing for sure, so it really looks quite pathetic, BUT I found a steal on fabric that I could make floor to ceiling curtains for $30, so that was the "change" I could afford and I can see the potential of the gradual progression of new paint, then new decorations, then new furniture so I am content for the time being.  Not sure how content Fred is :)

Tuesday

--Sent all of my children (minus Jordan of course) off to choir on their own so I could work on the homefront, which was in dire need of attention, and worried the entire time.  I don't like children in cars, or in town without parents!

Wednesday
---Took Olive in for her annual shots, which she didn't seem to mind, but she was very mad at me for the medicine I syringed into her mouth when we got home. 
--Visited one of the wards in our stake for mutual where we learned some hair tricks and then styled the girls hair.  The new Bishop from that ward and one of his counselors came in near the end and I watched one of the girls, who is very awkward come up and show them her new hairdo.  They talked with her for a few minutes and I heard her tell them that she had really wanted it braided and the next time I looked over the counselor what braiding pigtails.  I thought it was a very sweet gesture and re-inpired me to look for the little acts of service that make such a big difference.

Thursday
--Had a brain lapse and forgot to go to Eden's Parent/Teacher openhouse.

Friday
--Unwilling to miss out on my weekly date, I skipped my wards R.S. Retreat (party) that night and Fred and I had fun pre-Christmas idea shopping.  At home we watched "Breakfast at Tiffany's" with Eden, and were sad to find that it is really just a commentary on disfunctional relationships and exactly what not to do if you want to find any semblence of happiness.  I'll take the substancial, morally grounded, romance of Jane Austin  anyday :) 
--Mikayla went to a "study" party (which is an oxymoron anyway) and amazingly never got around the studying at all but she had fun and returned home safe and before curfew, so we were happy.

Saturday
--Early morning Fred headed to the farm to replace the water heater and I headed to the morning "session" of the R.S. retreat which was a great, spiritual way to start a Saturday. 
--Of course we spent the rest of the day cleaning and then thouroughly enjoyed listening to the children laugh while Mikayla, Abe, Lily, Sophie and I watched Ice Age.
--Eden spent the evening upstairs, giggling, playing with Maunzy and peforming "makeovers" with freinds.

--And Fred locked himself in Abe's room to finish putting together his Chemistry class, which he anxiouslystarts today.

Sunday
--Attended a missionary "homecoming" in our ward for our previous Bishop's son and the church was filled to the stage.  Fun to see so many familiar faces back in the building. 
--Received a wedding invitation from one of my YW.  Aaaaaaaaaaaagh--that's the second one!  Jordan, you just remember that you still have a good 3 years!
--Talked to Jordan on the web cam.  He has the flu--again!  I think this living on his own thing is taking his immune system for a ride (lots of stress).  We noticed a bruise on his head and found out he was in another car accident on Saturday.  He and his roomate and their dates were driving back from Yellowstone and his roomate quickly turned around to put something in the back seat and drove off a windy road.  His roomate had to get 4 stitches in his head and his date has some back pain.  Jordan hit the window with his head and has a bruise on his temple but his date was uninjured.  I am trying to have any location other than campus and any transportation other than his bike banned; two stikes is too close!  My immune system isn't doing so well while he's on his own either!
--Had Stake YW Standards Night.  With minor guidance, the YW from the stake YM/YW youth committe planned and conducted the meeting.  They chose youth who have taken the opportunity (since it became available this past summer) to attend the temple weekly, to bear thier testimonies.  The youth chose and assigned and performed the two musical numbers and then they asked our stake president to be the keynote speaker.  It was a powerful reminder to "the strength of youth".  Great turnout--great Spirit--great meeting!  Parents were invited, but because we have other children, Fred stayed home and made traditional Sunday cookies with them and put them to bed before we got home rather late.

Today
--I still need to make bread, clean the refridgerator, set some appointments, prepare the lesson for F.H.E., walk my dog, write up a menu and grocery list, Cook dinner for the missionaries ........oh, and get dressed!

Love all,
Rach

"Talk" and "Walk"

Jordan calls us every Sunday on the computer web cam and  fills us in on college life and often deep thoughts about what he's learning in class and in life.  He then asks us about our week to which we almost always look at each other with blank faces and shrug our shoulders.  What is it exactly that we are filling our lives with?  Jordan talks about thoughts and we try to think of happenings.  One of my favorite quotes is, "Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."  I'm grateful for conference this weekend to help elevate my mind to enlightenment.  I love conference weekend!  It is so full of light and truth and re-motivation.    It was so enjoyable to spend two full days with my family gathered around, focusing on eternity and undistracted by outside influences.  During the breaks on Sunday, we spent a lot of time going through the geneology that we found in the barn and looking through old journals and photographs.  We truly do feel tied back into those previous generations and have such a yearning to know those people.  Now Monday is here and the "talk" ends and the "walk" begins again. 

(Tradition Conference Strawberry Cream Waffles)

I looked out at my garden last Monday morning and it was gone!  It had turned from a lush, producing bounty to shriveled nothingness.  My children harvested what had not frozen, which was surprisingly significant and then I breathed a sad sigh of relief.  I will miss running out there every day to pick produce for after school snacks and dinner, but no more guilt for yellow squash I can't use or share fast enough and tomatoes that keep piling up even after boundless batches of fresh salsa, juice, sandwiches etc. because I am too scared to pressure cook.  I am not emotionally ready for cold and rain and cloudy days, but they are here nonetheless. I am rather bee-like when the cold comes; my body starts shutting down and I seem to move in slow motion.  There is something about sun and sweat that keeps me energized and busy and a heater doesn't have the same effect, but I am very grateful for it just the same.  Whether I like it or not, change is always healthy and so I am determined to be grateful for yardwork time that will now be shifted to housework time.  I might actually get my curtains hemmed, my home organized, Ivanho finished and my laundry folded....well, that last thought is rather optimistic. :)  I am now trying to keep the climate in the house adjusted for a family whose comfort ranges between 64-77, a fish who can't survive below 70, a chinchilla who can't survive above 80 and a cyclamen plant that needs to be between 50-75.  So if I set the thermostat for 72 and we all dress appropriately, we might all make it ;)  Of course there is still Olive to worry about.  When weather starts chaning, she spends a lot of time looking in our sliding glass door the guilt level of each of us climbs as the weather drops.  Yesterday, Mikayla and I dragged the calf shed onto the back cement pad (which almost emcompassed it), and put her plastic kennel inside with a blanket and she seemed content all day.  Of course that can't be permanent because we can't get out very easily, but it is savving us and her for the present.

Mikayla has started talking about ACT's and checking out the college campus and LEAVING, though she is only a junior.  Doesn't she know I can't do this twice?  I love watching Jordan stretch and grow--it is so fulfilling and rewarding, but they need to take turns; if one goes the others must come back.  It's only fair. 

I'm afraid that Jordan may have been bitten by the love bug, and honestly I'm not very excited about it.  In high school I knew all of his friendgirls, sometimes before he did, and now all I have is pictures and words.  I'm so proud of him for making it this far, without attachments, but he still has 6 months to "play the feild" and I hope he doesn't make it hard to leave.  He's a smart boy, but you know those red heads (the third one!) can be formidable. ;)  Apparently she's quite an impressive dancer (ballroom and ballet), but I'm hoping his focus won't be on footwork but on school work and mission work and he will continue to date a variety of girls.  The prophets counsel not to single date (in either context of the word) until after a boys mission is so wise.  It has served him well so far and if he continues I know he'll never regret it!  Now, I just have to continue to convince Jordan, while he's on his own, making his own rules ;) How strong is a mother's influence, 335 miles away?  Probably not that strong, but it's not my counsel, so I'm hoping it will hold enough weight.  Love you Georgie!!!

A month and a half until we let out the line a bit and allow Eden to go to Saturday night dances and boy/girl parties.  We are "reeling in" often and she's giving us a quite a run on the growing up issues, so I'm grateful for the chance to chaperone often :)  Mikayla and Fred insist that she's a lot like me--heaven help us all!  If we can just keep her from breaking the line I see great things from her on the horizon.  She is tenacious and has proven strength to swim upstream with gusto.  This next year will be all about her finding out who she is and me continuing to discover who I am.  Mothering children with similiar character traits can be very introspective and humbling, and because I tend to resist humility--hard!  I'm so grateful for a righteous, PATIENT husband who constantly reels me in, and for forgiving children who "just keep swimming."

(Waiting for "Mom" to come home from shopping--
It's nice to be joyfully "anticipated")

"I am blessed with work" and work is waiting.